Sheppard to start at CB; Huff aims for 30 percent

Besides officially ruling running back Darren McFadden (sprained foot) out for Thursday’s game, Raiders coach Hue Jackson said that cornerbacks DeMarcus Van Dyke (hamstring) and Chris Johnson (groin) won’t play. Former Pro Bowler Lito Sheppard, who has bounced around the last few years, will start opposite Stanford Routt.

“This is what I’ve been begging for, this type of opportunity,” said Sheppard, 30, who the Raiders signed last week. “This almost feels like a long time in the making for me. I’ve got a lot to prove to myself and to this team and just everybody who’s been counting me out. I’m blessed by the opportunity, and I’ve been working hard for this day to come back around.”

Rookie cornerback Chimdi Chekwa will also play, he said, after missing four weeks with a hamstring injury.

Safety Michael Huff (ankle) was in his walking boot during Wednesday’s walk-through practice, but said he plans to play.

“I’m always confident,” he said. “If I’m anywhere over 30 percent then I’ll play. So it just depends on how it feels.”

“I feel good about all of them,” Jackson said. “I think everybody’s going to be OK. I think we’ll be fine, I really do.”

As for McFadden, he is still in a walking boot and will likely stay behind this week in Alameda and continue his rehabilitation. Jackson said McFadden is closer to being back than to not being back, whatever that means as far as getting back for the Minnesota game on Nov. 20. “We miss him,” Jackson said.